Cork City moved three points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division as they came from behind to defeat Limerick 2-1 in the Munster derby at Turner's Cross.
A header apiece from strikers Graham Cummins and Josh O’Hanlon was enough to earn City the victory that sees them move clear of Dundalk and Waterford in the race for the league title.
The Leesiders made three changes to the side that was well beaten 3-0 by Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght last Monday night with Alan Bennett, Steven Beattie, and Jimmy Keohane replacing Conor McCarthy, Danny Kane, and Gearoid Morrissey.
And it was the home side that created the first opportunity here but Graham Cummins could only fire his strike wide of the near post from a difficult angle.
City had the perfect opportunity to take the lead in the ninth minute as referee Tomas Connolly pointed to the penalty spot after Steven Beattie was adjudged to have been fouled by Killian Cantwell just inside the penalty area.
With Kieran Sadlier watching on from the bench, having converted all four of his penalties so far this season, the responsibility fell to Karl Sheppard but his tame effort was saved at his bottom left corner by Brendan Clarke.
Limerick also made three changes to the team that lost 3-0 at home to Derry City last time out with Billy Dennehy, Darren Dennehy and Cian Coleman taking the place of Karl O’Sullivan, Alan Murphy, and Killian Brouder.
And the visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 34th minute as former Cork City striker Danny Morrissey ended the stalemate with a stunning finish, grabbing the first goal scored at Turner's Cross by an opposition player since the end of September.
Billy Dennehy’s free-kick fell kindly to Morrissey inside the City penalty area but the striker expertly hooked his effort over the head of the rooted Mark McNulty and into the back of the Shed End net.
But that opener seemed to spark the home side into life and they wasted no time in finding the equaliser as Graham Cummins headed Colm Horgan’s excellent cross home at the near post just two minutes later for his eighth league goal of the season.
It wasn’t until the beginning of the second period that City would next threaten the Limerick goal but after good work down the left involving Sadlier and Barry McNamee, Garry Buckley’s goal-bound strike from the latter’s cross was superbly blocked by the recovering defence.
Limerick ought to have levelled just past the hour mark as the recently introduced Mark O’Sullivan capitalised on a Bennett error to break clear on goal but the former City striker dragged his shot wide of the far bottom right corner.
And Cork made the Shannonsiders pay the ultimate price for missing that opportunity as they completed the turnaround and edge in front with 20 minutes remaining.
Sadlier’s superb cross picked out the towering Josh O’Hanlon at the back post and with his first touch the forward headed the ball past Clarke for his first league goal for the club.
Limerick pressed for another leveller late on but it wasn’t to be as City clung on to the win which sees them move three points clear at the top.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Colm Horgan, Alan Bennett, Sean McLoughlin, Steven Beattie (Kieran Sadlier 54); Jimmy Keohane, Conor McCormack; Barry McNamee (Josh O’Hanlon 69), Garry Buckley, Karl Sheppard; Graham Cummins (Danny Kane 82).
LIMERICK: Brendan Clarke; Killian Cantwell, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy (Barry Maguire 45), Billy Dennehy; Conor Clifford, Eoin Wearen; Shane Duggan, Cian Coleman, William Fitzgerald (Karl O’Sullivan 34); Danny Morrissey (Mark O’Sullivan 64).
Referee: Tomas Connolly.
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